Friday, October 7, 2016

UMaine shows economic promise for research and development - By Sen. Bill Diamond

I recently had the good fortune to get a tour of the
University of Maine’s Composite Center, one of the largest research facilities
in our entire state.

Within its 100,000 square feet of laboratory space,
nearly 200 people, including students, work to develop the next generation of
products. The materials invented, engineered, modified and created at the lab
have applications in everything from renewable energy to infrastructure, defense
and national security to marine applications.

What those men and women are doing is remarkable. While I
was there, I saw a next-generation structural product made of cellulose
nanofiber derived from the wood pulp -- the same kind that’s fueled our paper
mills for years and years. But this product was nothing like paper. It was
strong, sturdy and totally machineable.

According to researchers, it could be used in light
construction, wind turbines, automotive and ship structures and even ballistic
material. What’s best, it can be manufactured renewably right here in Maine.
With so many applications, cellulose nanofiber could not only create jobs for
our future, but reinvigorate the forest product industry that’s so crucial to
our heritage.

For lots of folks, the phrase “research and development”
is a little nebulous. Vague imagery of scientists in lab coats come to mind,
maybe. But the innovation that comes from R&D has a real-world effect by
spurring the startup and growth of businesses and creating desperately needed
jobs. That’s an attractive return on investment.

Take for example the famous “Bridge-in-a-Backpack,”
developed at the University of Maine. It’s a lightweight, low-cost,
high-performing new composite material for the construction of short- and
medium length bridges. The material is so strong and resilient that bridges
constructed from it are expected to last 100 years with little to or no
maintenance.

With 34 percent of Maine’s bridges rated as “structurally
deficient,” this new technology can help reinvigorate and strengthen our
infrastructure.

That’s probably why a new business, AIT Bridges, was
created in Orono to design, manufacture and sell the bridges -- not just in
Maine but around the country and the world. They’re just one of many businesses
that have started right here in our state because of the innovative research
and development happening at UMaine.

The university, as great as it is, is not the only place
where this kind of job-creating R&D can take place. But states like
Massachusetts and North Carolina have shown us that it can act as an anchor for
an entire research and development sector of the economy.

There’s no reason that Maine couldn’t follow in their
example. I plan to submit a bill to build on UMaine’s success and expand research
and development in our state. I’m in the early stages of crafting my proposal,
but it’s my hope that Maine can become a national leader in R&D. Why?
Because R&D means new and high paying jobs for Mainers and that should be
our focus.

As always, please feel free to contact me at diamondhollyd@aol.com or (207) 287-1515,
if you have questions or comments.